The car pulled up to the restaurant. Hope looked out the window, surveying the busy line.

"Okay, we're here...honey."

Lightning clenched her fists. "Yes, darling."

Hope stepped out of the car, escorting Lightning after him. She linked her arm around his, just as they planned in the limo. There was line of gasps once they stepped out. Once Hope's fangirls saw the ring on Lightning and Hope, they bawled. Great, now I'm going to be hated by hundreds of girls...

"Hope! So, this is your lovely wife!" someone called out.

"Mr. Pablo, it's nice to see you." Hope smiled. It was his boss.

"Well, aren't you going to introduce me?"

Hope looked into Lightning's eyes, which startled her at first. "This is Claire, my wife." He said, looking back to his boss.

"Nice to meet you." She said, shaking Mr. Pablo's hand.

"It's a pleasure. Now, let's go eat!" The boss said, eagerly.

At least it wasn't as awkward as I suspected, she thought.

They all were seated at the table and Mr. Pablo was curious about his employee's wife.

"You certainly are a beauty, as expected of Mr. Estheim!"

Hope smiled. "Sir, please, I don't know what you think of me from the rumors, but I'm just a normal guy."

"No need to be bashful! So what was it, young lady, his looks or his money that drew you in?" The boss laughed.

Lightnings mind reeled. He was clearly joking, and the look on Hope's face was telling her neither of those choices were the right answer. She had to make up something else. Something... romantic.

"Actually," she said, fidgeting with her dress, "it was..."

The table went silent. "His... charming personality."

She tried not to cringe. The smile from Hope told her 'good job', and she wondered if she could keep this up.

"He certainly is charming, no wonder you fell in love with him! How did you two first meet? It must be some story!" The boss chuckled.

"It wasn't anything special, we met at a wedding of her sister. The groom introduced me to Claire, and it was love at first sight."

"That's a nice story! You two planning on having children?"

Lightning choked on her water. She wasn't expecting that question, so she looked at Hope, telling him to answer.

"W-We haven't thought about it."

"Well, when you do, I'd like to be the uncle!" Mr. Pablo laughed.

"We'll keep that in mind." Hope chuckled, hoping that his boss would never ask a question like that again.

"Let's dig in! I heard the steak tastes great!" Mr. Pablo said.

Lightning forgot all about the marriage after eating the steak and then she snapped out of it. Wait, I'm supposed to be acting like Hope's wife... Then, Mr. Pablo burst out laughing.

"Your wife is quite the charmer herself, Mr. Estheim!"

"That's why I love her." Hope smiled.

Lightning choked on her steak. Hope nudged her as she swallowed the bit stuck in her throat. "Act along," he whispered, telling her she wasn't doing good enough of a job.

"You just... surprised me a bit." Lightning glared at him.

"Everything okay over there?" Mr. Pablo asked.

"Just fine," said Hope, looking over at Lightning as her cue to continue the conversation.

"We were just... discussing..."

Crap, lightning, think of something couples would talk about!

"Our... honeymoon?"

There's no way he'll buy that...!

Mr Pablo's face beamed with delight. "Oh, are you two recently wed? I can set up a lovely vacation for you!"

"N-" Lightning started, but Hope was already snapping up the offer.

"Actually we've been arguing about where to go for a while. What's your suggestion?"

"When you think of honeymoons, the first thought that comes to mind is Hawaii! How does that sound?" Mr. Pablo was thrilled from the subject and she didn't know how to react.

"U-Uh-" Lightning stuttered. Hawaii was way out of her budget, so she wanted to refuse.

"That's perfect! Thank you, sir!" Hope blurted.

"Just for the two of you, I'll pay for the trip!" the boss chuckled.

"You don't have to-"

"Thank you so much! We have to get going, but thanks for the dinner!" Hope interrupted, quickly grabbing his coat.

He grabbed Lightning's hand, interrupting her from finishing her steak, and made his way out the door. As they were dashing off, Lightning caught a glimpse of the boss with the biggest smile on his face. Out of the building, Lightning yanked her hand back, turning away.

"You're angry, right?"

The rose-haired girl wouldn't answer, and instead started walking in the direction she was facing.

"The silent treatment, huh?" he sighed. "By the way, the apartment is the other way..."

Lightning turned around, furious. "I've impressed your boss, that's good enough. I'm not about to go on vacation with you."

"He's going to pay for the whole trip out of kindness. If I say no..."

"Bring someone else."

Lightning continued walking in the correct direction to the apartment, Hope walking alongside her.

"I... don't have anyone else."

Lightning stopped. "Really? I find that hard to believe."

"No, I'm serious. You were the only person I talked to at the wedding. I may be somewhat popular but I actually don't have many friends."

"Snow?"

"We've known each other for a while, but if he hadn't introduced me to you, I'd be alone."

Lightning sighed. "If you're trying to gain my sympathy..."

"I'm just asking for one favor. Please go."

She smiled lightly. "One favor, huh?" That's the biggest lie I've ever heard...

"Please?" he begged.

Lightning groaned, knowing she couldn't say no. "Fine... I'll go."

She rolled her eyes, walking in the direction of the apartment. Hope chuckled, chasing after her.

She stopped.

"What's wrong?"

Lightning lifted her right leg back, taking off the high heel. She used Hope's shoulder for balance. Then, she took off the heel on her left leg, carrying them both in her hands.

"Do you want me to carry you home?" he joked, but at the same time, he was serious.

"Forget it," she said bluntly.

"What if you step on glass?"

"That's the worst-case scenario, I'll be fine. I can use my eyes, you know."

"But your eyes can't see in the dark," he replied.

Lightning clicked her tongue. For the rest of the walk, she stayed close by him while he kept an eye on the ground.

When they got inside, Hope flicked on the light switch and jumped in surprise. "Alyssa?"

She yawned, sitting up on the couch. "I fell asleep waiting for you, stupid."

"Who's this?" Lightning said, feeling awkward for being seen so close to Hope.

"She's my... co-worker," Hope explained nervously.

Lightning looked at him suspiciously. So you're 'alone' huh...

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Just had to give you some.. papers." Alyssa smiled.

Lightning felt an eerie, unnerving aura from her presence. Why did she say that so strangely? Is there something else going on here?

She looked at Hope, who seemed concerned.

"Congrats on being promoted," Alyssa said as she walked around the room. "From researcher to scientist."

Alyssa took a glimpse of Lightning and smiled. Lightning couldn't help but feel unwanted in that room. So that whole speech was just another lie... I can't believe I was stupid enough to trust him.

"Uh, thanks. But you could have left the papers on the counter." Hope sighed.

"But I heard that you got married and I just had to meet the lucky gal!"

"Uh, right. This is my wife, Claire."

"Nice to meet ya! My name is Alyssa!" She smiled, holding out her hand.

Lightning looked at the girl's hand, hesitantly taking it.

"I'm... Claire."

"Well, I'll be heading home! See you at work!" Alyssa walked out of the door, waving goodbye.

"Looks like there's someone you could go to Hawaii with." Lightning crossed her arms.

"No, wait, she's just a co-worker."

"It doesn't seem that way."

"I promise, we are just co-workers."

Lightning turned away and Hope chuckled.

"Could it be that you're jealous?"

"Don't be ridiculous." Lightning hid her face so he couldn't tell that she was blushing fervently. Why do I feel like this... Am I mad at her? Or him? For what? She denied the fact that she could possibly be jealous.

After all, she barely knew him, even though just that day felt like forever. Lightning dashed to the bedroom and grabbed a pillow and a blanket. She shoved it into Hope's face and ran back into the bedroom.

"You're sleeping on the couch!" she yelled.

"I really feel that we're married now," he chuckled.

"Be quiet!"

Lightning sunk into the mattress and fell asleep with her face buried in his pillow.